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Junjie knew that all too well from personal experience. As much as the members of his clan wanted to explore and understand the changing world around them, there was nothing they could do, no plans they could make, until they were free of Jiang Chong.

Sadly, after so many millennia, their clan found themselves right back within the long-reaching shadow of their demented creator. This time would be different. There was no escape for him. They could finally end his life and secure their freedom.

Chapter 18

Leo St. George

“Cat, if you don’t stop pacing, I’m going to use you for target practice,” Chen grumbled as Leo traversed the main corridor leading to the front door for the sixth time in the past twenty minutes.

Leo paused and glared over his shoulder at the vampire before he continued on his route.

Moon poked Chen in the shoulder. “Stop it. You’re just as anxious about Xiao Dan and the others. Besides, you’re jealous that Erik chose Leo to read his bedtime story tonight instead of you.”

“Nonsense,” Chen mumbled under his breath. Except Leo could hear with his superb cat hearing that Chen didn’t really think it was nonsense. The vampire was hurt by the fact that the little boy had chosen Leo.

Smirking to himself, he wandered to the entrance and peered out at the empty driveway. Junjie and the others should have returned by now. Sunrise was still several hours away, but he’d been gone too long. What kind of trouble had they encountered? Should he have gone with Jun-Jun instead of remaining behind to protect Erik?

When the vampire had asked him to watch the child, Leo had caved in an instant to those big, fearful eyes. Junjie was relying on his gift to see walkers through the dead realm to warn the clan if Jiang Chong invaded their space again. Leo caring for Erik meant Junjie could focus all of his attention on the dangers he was going to face in the woods rather than worrying about what was happening at home.

But staying behind meant worrying endlessly about Junjie.

Was this what happened when people found their mates and did things like date? This was a fucking nightmare. Why would anyone do this long term?

“Relax. They texted that they’re on their way back. Everyone is safe,” Chen confessed.

“You hadn’t told him already?” Moon gasped. “Junjie texted nearly half an hour ago!”

“What?” Leo roared, shifting straight into his human form. He marched up to Chen, who smirked at him as he looked down at Leo. Being short sucked. And Chen had a good six inches on him. It was hard to be intimidating when you were staring up someone’s nose.

“What do you care?” Chen asked, one thick eyebrow lifting as if he were barely holding in a laugh. “Afraid the comfortable existence you’ve managed on the good graces of my shidi is going to suddenly end?”

Thankfully, Moon was right there. The smaller vampire reached up and flicked Chen’s earlobe, causing him to flinch. His superior attitude crumbled to dust. “Why do you have to be such a nosy pot stirrer? You always have to be the first one to get the best spilled tea.”

Chen batted away Moon’s hand as his mate tried to flick his ear a second time. “This isn’t about gossip. I’m genuinely concerned about Junjie’s well-being, and I don’t believe this tomcat has Junjie’s best interests at heart.” As he spoke the lastword, he captured Moon’s hand and brought it to his lips, where he pressed a kiss to his knuckles. Moon showed signs of melting, and Leo could only roll his eyes.

“I think Junjie would point out here that he’s a grown adult and can look out for himself,” Leo groused as he paced to the door and gazed out the side window.

Chen and Moon were forgotten as soon as he reached the window. He saw the double doors at the end of the driveway opening to allow in the Zhangs’ SUV. Leo ripped open the door and zipped outside, jogging down the stairs and along the path to meet the vehicle as soon as Junjie stepped out.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen? Is Erik okay?” Junjie spat out questions at an astounding rate as he leaped from the vehicle.

“Erik is fine. What’s wrong is that you were gone for hours, and I didn’t know if you were dead or captured,” Leo snapped. Junjie’s dark eyebrows shot up to his forehead and his lips parted, forming an O of surprise.

Fuck. That was a little much. Leo needed to rein it in.

But he didn’t want to. He’d been worried about Junjie, and that had morphed into actual fear verging on terror as the hours ticked by. It wasn’t a feeling he’d had for anyone before, and he didn’t much care for it. The only thing that was going to make things better was getting Junjie inside. They needed to be away from all these prying, judging eyes.

Leo wrapped his fingers around Junjie’s wrist and pulled. “Come. I’m sure you’re eager to see Erik.”

Junjie grunted in agreement but said nothing else, for which Leo was grateful. It gave him a chance to get his emotions under control. Otherwise, something else embarrassing was going to slip out.

When they reached Erik’s bedroom, Leo was careful to push the door open without making a sound. A bunny nightlightglowed off to one side, filling the child’s room with soft light. They stepped inside, and Leo looked up in time to see the most tender smile spreading across Junjie’s lips.

“How was he?” Junjie asked in a whisper.

“An angelic terror.”

Junjie tipped his head so that he could see Leo’s face, his own expression twisted in silent question.